Prep first
Before you start
- Confirm the item is suede or nubuck, and check its care label or the maker's care page, since some roughout and nubuck lines have their own rules.
- Test any cleaner, water or spray on a hidden spot first, because products can mark suede or change its color.
- Remove loose dirt with a dry brush before anything wet touches the item.
- Choose a spot at room temperature to work and dry, away from radiators, heaters and direct sun.
Suede and nubuck have a soft, napped surface, and that nap is what makes them tricky. They absorb water and liquids quickly, and a harsh brush or too much moisture can flatten or mark them. Before you start, check whether the item is suede or nubuck and look at its care label or the maker's care page.
Suede shoes and sneakers respond well to a dry brush, a suede eraser and a little suede cleaner for tougher spots. Suede boots, couches and jackets follow the same approach, with a few changes for each type. Work gently, let the item dry away from heat, and brush the nap back up at the end.
Before you start
What suede can take
Use with care3
- Water
- Soaking
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Heat (dryer, iron, hot air)
7 items
What you'll need
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- Brass or medium-hard suede brushLifts dust and dirt, and brings the nap back up once the item is dry. (opens Amazon)
- Suede or nubuck eraserLifts marks and scuffs from the spot without wetting the whole item. (opens Amazon)
- Foam or soft brushApplies a small amount of cleaner to specific spots without soaking the material. (opens Amazon)
- Suede cleanerFor really dirty items, where brushing and erasing are not enough. (opens Amazon)
- Soft clothBlots and dries the spots and wipes away excess cleaner. (opens Amazon)
- Waterproofing or protector sprayProtects the nap after cleaning. Pick one labeled for suede or nubuck.
- Crumpled paper or clothStuffed inside to help the item keep its shape while it dries.
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Take out the laces and brush
Pull out the laces so you can reach the whole upper. Brush the surface gently with a brass or medium-hard suede brush, moving across the area rather than working one spot.
Tip. Brush lightly and keep the brush moving, so the surface stays even.
Step 2 of 6
Erase the marks
Rub the suede eraser over the soiled spot only, not the whole item. If the stain stays, wet the eraser and repeat, then move on once the spot is clean.
Tip. Use the eraser on stains and dirty spots only.
Step 3 of 6
Clean the tougher spots
Apply a small amount of suede cleaner to a foam or soft brush, then work it into the specific spots. Clean both shoes, or the whole item, with the same cleaner so they don't end up two different shades.
Tip. Use the suede cleaner only when the item is really dirty. For light marks, the eraser is enough.
Careful. Suede and nubuck absorb water, so keep liquid to a minimum and never soak the item.
Step 4 of 6
Dry at room temperature
Dry the item with a soft cloth, then stuff it with something absorbent so it keeps its shape. Leave it at room temperature, away from direct heat or sunlight, and let nubuck air dry overnight.
Tip. Let wet leather dry naturally rather than rushing it.
Careful. Don't use a hairdryer, radiator or direct sunlight to speed things up.
Step 5 of 6
Brush the nap back up
Once the item is completely dry, brush it with a suede brush to lift the nap. Work gently so you don't flatten the surface again.
Tip. Brush in the direction the nap naturally lies.
Step 6 of 6
Protect with a waterproofing spray
Test the spray on a hidden spot first. Then apply an even layer from six to eight inches away, moving in a sweeping motion, once the suede is dry.
Tip. Let the protector dry before you wear or use the item.
What makes the job easier
Best products for cleaning suede
Choose a suede eraser, brush and protector spray labeled for suede or nubuck, and leave conditioners out, since they are meant for leather surfaces only.
Angelus Nubuck & Suede Kit
Jason Markk Suede Cleaning Kit, Shoe Cleaner, 2-Piece Set, Brush
UGG PROTECTOR
How we picked these: each product is made for cleaning suede, its maker doesn't warn against using it on suede, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →Spots that survive a deep clean are usually stains, and each stain has its own method.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The nap should look even and soft, with no dark damp patches or flattened areas, and the item should feel dry all the way through. If it still feels damp, leave it at room temperature away from heat and brush it again once it is fully dry. If a mark is still visible, repeat the eraser step before you protect the item.
Treat stains with their own method
Got a stain on it?
A deep clean lifts everyday dirt, but most stains need their own method. Pick yours:
What changes for yours
Adjust for your suede item
Roughout and nubuck boots
Roughout and nubuck boots are not oily, and they are more sensitive to dirt and moisture, so regular brushing matters. Clean them with the steps above, then protect them with a waterproofing spray once they are dry.
Only one specific roughout line gets a light coat of mink oil, and other roughout and nubuck leathers need no conditioning. Skip any oil unless the maker's care page says otherwise.
Suede jackets and coats
Jackets and coats follow the same brushing, erasing and drying steps, with the item stuffed to hold its shape while it dries. They can be protected with a waterproofing spray, but it is still best not to wear them in wet weather.
If the color changes, sprays are sold for the more common shades of black and brown. For other colors, a professional is the safer choice.
Suede couches and chairs
Use a medium-hard brush to remove dust from the surface, and treat stains with gentle cleaning on a damp cloth, which may minimize or remove them. Suede absorbs liquids readily, so avoid stains where you can.
Test any protective spray or cleaner on a hidden area first, since it may mark or change the color. Protective sprays are available for suede furniture if you want to protect it.
Alcantara and faux suede
Alcantara is a suede-like synthetic fabric, so dust it with care and clean it with a damp cloth rather than an eraser. Moisten a soft cloth in clean water, wring it out thoroughly, and wipe the whole surface without over-wetting it.
Let it dry overnight, then brush gently with a soft bristle brush. Don't rub too hard or use steam machines, and avoid printed cloths, which can release ink. Removable upholstery can be machine washed at about 30 degrees C with a mild detergent, but don't spin-dry it.
Between deep cleans
How often to clean it
Brush suede and nubuck regularly with a medium-hard or suede brush to remove dust and dirt, because these leathers are more sensitive to dirt and moisture. Staying on top of this is the most effective way to keep the item lasting.
Protect it with a waterproofing or protector spray after testing a hidden area, misting from six to eight inches away in a sweeping motion. Even protected suede should be kept out of wet weather, and it should only be deep cleaned when it is really dirty.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work for cleaning suede?
Household remedies are common for stains, but most of them don't suit suede. None of them belong on suede; a suede eraser and a little suede cleaner do the job.
Skip3Avoid3
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't dry it near heat
Hairdryers, radiators and direct sunlight are all off limits for wet suede. Let it dry naturally at room temperature instead, with something absorbent inside to hold its shape.
Don't scrub the same spot
The nap is fragile, so brushing one spot hard or for long can flatten or damage it. Use the eraser on marks and dirty spots only, and move on once they are clean.
Don't soak the item
Suede and nubuck absorb water, so keep liquid to a minimum on a foam or soft brush. Reserve any washing for very dirty items, and use the right leather-cleaning product.
Don't skip the hidden-spot test
Products can mark suede or change its color, so every cleaner, water test and spray belongs on a hidden spot first. Wait for the test area to dry before you judge the result.
Don't guess at unknown stains
Suede is among the items that go to a professional, so an unknown stain is best left to an expert. Home attempts risk damage, and the eraser and brush are only for the marks they can lift.
Troubleshooting
If it still isn't clean
Pick what you're seeing:
Dark, wet patches after drying
Suede absorbs water, so too much liquid can leave patches. Let the item dry naturally at room temperature, then brush the nap back up once it is fully dry.
A mark that won't lift
Wet the eraser and repeat over the spot only. If it still shows, take the item to a professional rather than trying stronger home methods.
Uneven shade between shoes or sections
Clean both shoes or the whole item with the same cleaner next time. If the color has faded or changed on the more common shades of black and brown, color-restoring sprays are sold for them.
When to call a professional
Take the item to a professional for any stain the eraser and brush don't remove, any stain you can't identify, or whenever you are in doubt. Professional leather repair businesses can advise on unusual stains or damage, and color-restoring work can be done if the color changes.
Questions
Can I use water on suede?
Yes, but only with care. Suede and nubuck absorb water quickly, so use as little liquid as possible on a foam or soft brush and never soak the item. Let it dry naturally at room temperature.
Can I use leather conditioner on suede?
No. Leather conditioner is meant for leather surfaces only, so it doesn't belong on suede. Use a suede cleaner for dirty spots and a waterproofing spray for protection.
What's the difference between suede and nubuck?
Nubuck has a soft, velvety nap made by sanding the grain side of the leather, while suede is the reverse or split side and feels a little coarser. Both absorb water and liquids, so the same careful approach applies. Some roughout or nubuck lines have their own care rules, so check the maker's care page.
Can I clean light or black suede differently?
The method is the same, but test every product on a hidden spot first. Clean both shoes, or the whole item, with the same cleaner so the shade stays even. Once they are dry, check both shoes side by side, since a pair can end up two shades apart.
Is Alcantara the same as suede?
No. Alcantara is a suede-like synthetic fabric used on furniture and car interiors, so it is not real leather. Clean it with the damp-cloth method rather than an eraser.
Can I clean a suede bag or hat the same way?
A suede bag can follow the same method: brush off the dirt, erase the marks, use only a little suede cleaner for tougher spots, and dry at room temperature with something absorbent inside. Hats need their own check, so look at the care label or the maker's care page before using any of these steps.
What if the stain won't come out?
Stop, and don't rub harder, since that can damage the surface. Take the item to a professional cleaner for any stain the eraser and brush don't remove, or for any stain you can't identify.
Methods, care labels and related guides
Good to know
More cleaning guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.